dillustrationofilluminatedmanuscripts.Thus,theselegendaryillustratorsofKazvina,alltheseelderlymasters,alongwiththeirappreheseartisanswhomademasterpieShahTahmasp’sworkshops,paintersandcoloristswhosebrushesmadehallopatfullspeedandwhosebutterfliesflutteredoffthepage,allofthesemasterbindersandcalligraphers,everylastonewasleftwithoutwork,pennilessaute,homelessa.SomemigratedtotheNorthamongtheUzbeks,someWesttoIndia.Otherstookupdifferenttypesofwork,wastingthemselvesandtheirhonor,andstillotherseheserviceofinsignifitprindprovincialgovernors,allswornenemiesofeachother,tobeginwonpalm-sizebookstainingatmostafewleavesofillustration.Rapidlytranscribed,hastilypainted,cheapbooksappearedeverywhere,matgthetastesofonsoldiers,boorishpashasandspoiledprinces.”

    “Howmuchwouldtheygofor?”askedMasterOsman.

    “IhearthatthegreatSadikiBeyillustratedacopyeCreatures,issionedbyanUzbekspahicavalryman,foronlyfoldpieces.IofavulgarpashawhowasreturningfromhisEasterncampaigntoErzurum,IbeheldanalbumsistingoflewdpicturesincludingpaintingsbythevirtuosoSiyavush.Afewgreatmasterswhohadn’tabandonedillustratingweremakingandsellingindividualpieces,whichweren’tpartofanystoryatall.Byexaminingsugleleaves,youcouldn’ttellwhichseorwhichstoryitrepresented;rather,youwouldadmireitforitsownsake,forthepleasureofbeholdingalone.Forexample,youmightent,”Thisistheexactlikenessofahorse,howbeautiful,“andyou’dpaytheartistonthisbasis.

    Sesofbatorfugarequiteon.Thepriceforabustlingbattlehasfallentothreehundredsilvers,andtherear